Pub In The Park

Art and science has always shared a special and a symbiotic relationship.  A scientist, researcher, inventor, doctor, or mathematician all use their creativity in their fields of work.  A painter or a sculptor uses science and anatomy to fuel their artistic work.  In another life, Bill Gates may have become an incredible artist, Michelangelo an incredible surgeon, and DaVinci a world known inventor–which he was as a matter of fact.

It is this combination that is exemplified at the Museum of Science and Art at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston.  Surrounded by the charming streets, beautiful hotels,  and bars and bistros, the campus museum offers a lot, not only to those visiting from out of town, but to the people of the city, and to the world of the arts and sciences.  The exhibitions and the permanent collection at the museum include the work of the alumni and the professors, as well as a vast array of memorabilia collected throughout the years.  One will find everything from robots, displace of design and architecture, holography, oceanic artifacts and engineering equipment.  There is also a comprehensive record, or timeline, presented which outlines the innovations in technology that have taken place during the last two centuries.

This museum is free to the public each 3rd Sunday of the month, and it is a great opportunity to learn about the ways in which we got to where we are today as a society.  There mission is to engage the world.  They want to expose people to the wonders of the technological age and to the people who were and are still making those wonders into realities.  Their exhibitions high light and focus on the expansion of this endeavour not only through the public’s eyes, but within the scientific community, inspiring not only the people of the world, but each other as well.  It is a beautiful place to discover, one of the finest of the city, one of the finest of the world.

It is no secret that many businesses on a global level are struggling right now. As disheartening as that is for the local populations to see, it is even more discouraging for their employees. With cut benefits, pending layoffs, and general uncertainty the last thing on many peoples mind is advancement. Those who have jobs are grateful and those who don’t are open to just about anything. However, now is not the time to back down from your goal . Even in difficult times there are things you can do help you one-day advance.There is a common saying that it is who you know more than what you know that matters. While I would argue that a good education and lots of experience are important, having good connections could make all of the difference. Take the time to get to know people and supervisors in departments outside of your own. Interact with them as much as possible so that they are aware of your knowledge and skills. They could be a deciding factor when it comes to a new position or a raise.  Know the difference between a risk and a gamble and, when the time comes, don’t be afraid to take that risk. Look closely at each situation and don’t be afraid to take on new challenges, even if they are a little out of your comfort zone. Life is a constant learning process. While we should never stop learning from our experiences, we should also never stop the formal learning process either. Take advantage of any corporate training or leadership training seminars that your company may offer. This will show those in authority that you have initiative and that you want to improve. These may be stressful times without much opportunity for advancement, but even if you are not climbing that ladder right now there are many things that you can do to hold on.

Sometimes a trip to New York City won’t feel complete without exploring the countryside surrounding this great metropolis.  You can find a car here, and then you’ll be ready to go just about anywhere on your schedule, not tied down to a bus or train’s time table.  Personally, I’ve always enjoyed a car trip that will take me by roadside attractions, probably stemming from trips as a child through the Northwest and Southwest, where the attractions range from sand statues to The Thing, presumably a ten thousand year old mummy.  Within driving range of New York City, up in Cooperstown, New York, you’ll find one of the great hoaxes of the 19th Century: The Cardiff Giant.

A cigar manufacturer named George Hull thought up the Cardiff Giant after arguing with a minister.  He wondered if ministers and others would believe that giants were real, based on a Biblical quote in Genesis 6:4 that mentions there were giants on Earth, if he produced the petrified remains of one.  He carved a stone statue secretly.  It was over ten feet tall.  He washed it in acid and pounded it with needles to make it seem old, then buried it on a farm in Cardiff, New York.  The entire project cost him $2,600 to do, and this was in 1868 dollars, but he figured he’d charge money for people to see it, and that he’d actually make a profit.

When the statue was “found,” it was instantly proclaimed a fraud, but as Hull figured, fundamentalists thought it was real and declared it real as the statue made the rounds of cities.  Hull charged fifty cents to see it, and made $30,000 on the deal.  The New York Historical Association eventually bought it for another $30,000 and it’s on display in Cooperstown, where you’ll still need to pay an admission fee to see it.  The drive  in the New York countryside, there and back, should be a pleasant contrast to the cit.  It can be found at the Farmer’s Museum, a mile north of Cooperstown on Highway 80.  The museum is open daily from ten to five in the summer and from Tuesdays through Saturdays from ten to four in the off-season.  It’s closed in November and December, and you might want to call ahead to be certain: 607-547-1400.

I will admit, I always liked the idea of throwing darts at a map and making travel plans based on that, but it doesn’t generally seem to work as well in real life as it does in movies and TV shows. Usually I just end up hitting ocean. When I do hit a land mass it’s not usually a place I’d like to go. I’m not doing that this time. This time I have decided I am going to make solid travel plans and I am going to follow in the footsteps of President Obama. It will just be a tour around the United States, but it will be a great summer vacation. I got the idea from an article I read about three months ago about a couple who were following in his footsteps around D.C hoping to catch a glimpse of him. I don’t want to do that, but I figure when I have grand kids this will be the kind of vacation story I will be able to tell them.

I’m not the only one who is thinking this though. Take a us map and choose any city he visited on his way to Presidency. There are Presidential travel packages being set up all over the country. I would say it was a new fad, but the President has always been America’s biggest celebrity and we love to go where celebrities have gone and see what they have seen. It is a little like living vicariously through them, but we get to see it with our own eyes and be there in real time all on our own. Myself and millions like me hope this is going to be the experience we are each looking for.

To give a good idea of some of the most popular places to travel to when following any President, try first the town they were born in, then follow them around their schooling career. This is usually where most people start in these things and can give immense insight into some of the most intimate details of what shaped the President on his way to becoming the man he is today. Taking this advise and a knowledge of a little bit of history, you can actually get into the head of just about anyone on the world globe including people like Gandhi and Mother Teressa.

Once you’ve seen Colonial Williamsburg, taken the ghost tour, and seen the giant Presidential Heads at Presidents Park, perhaps it’s time to check out Jamestown Settlement, a fascinating living museum.  Entering Jamestown Settlement is a bit like a trip back to the 1600s, where you’ll find costumed interpreters providing in character info about how the Powhatan people lived.  You may explore a long house, or play Indian games, see how food was prepared, even tan a deer hide.

There’s three ships here, too, that are replicas of those sailed by Captain Christopher Newport.  There’s interpreters onboard here as well, playing the crew, and they’ll answer questions about what it was like onboard.  In an age, when we can cross the ocean in a matter of hours, weeks aboard these wooden vessels must have been a trying experience, and these crew will make that experience come alive for you.  Not only are you able to look through the ships, but you can lie down in the beds, and see how comfortable or uncomfortable the voyage really was….  In addition to showing you life with the Powhatan and the sea voyage over, this experience will show you, too, the first few years of life in the Jamestown Settlement.

There’s also an excellent museum on site.  On the outside, the building for the exhibits is fairly new, perhaps in contrast to the world outside; inside, though, you’ll find a number of exhibits that thoroughly explore the time period.  You can literally spend hours in the museum as you explore the models and films and exhibits that show how Jamestown was founded and how it progressed as a colony.  It’s a great place to spend a day with your family.  For a great place to stay in the area, all you need to do is take a look here.

Some cities are known for their streets: In Beverly Hills, it’s Rodeo Drive.  In Hollywood, it’s Hollywood or Sunset Boulevards.  In Paris, the Champs Ellysee; in London, Shaftesbury Avenue; in New York, it’s Fifth Avenue.  If you’ve arrived in New York City, this is perhaps on of the essential streets on which to stroll.  You’ll find that Fifth Avenue begins north of Washington Square and runs far north to 143rd Street in Harlem.  In-between, you’ll find, like Rodeo in Beverly Hills, this is one of the planet’s most costly streets, particularly from 49th to 59th Streets.

Along Fifth Avenue, you’ll find stores of the calibre of Louis Vuitton, Prada, Gucci, Versace, Ferragamo, and others.  There’s Brook Brothers, an NBA Store, and even an Apple Store with its Genius Bar.  Of course, there’s Saks Fifth Avenue, as well as a number of incredible jewels at Harry Winston, known as the jeweler to the stars.  Also on Fifth, you’ll find FAO Schwartz, the largest toy store in the world.

As you walk down the street, you’ll find Central Park, and great residential homes, large churches, and other historic buildings.  In the Museum Mile, from 82nd to 104th Streets, you’ll see the homes of 19th and 20th Century industrialists; most of these residences have become museums, such as the National Academy Museum or the Frick Collections (previously owned by the philanthropist Archer Huntington and Henry Clay Frick, respectively).  The Museum of the City of New York itself is contained within one of these mansions, built in 1932.  You’ll also discover the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Guggenheim Museum!  The former is one of the largest museums the world has to offer, while the Guggenheim is famous for its architecture and the modern art it exhibits.

You’ll find, too, St. Patrick’s Cathedral around 50th and 51st streets.  If you’re tired after all this walking, you might want to check into the Plaza on Fifth Avenue, a hotel made famous as the place The Beatles (along with many U.S. Presidents) have stayed.  For more information about the Plaza and other places to stay, especially near casinos, check into any one of these New York hotels.

Well it is Valentine’s Day again and it is always fun to come up with some fun and romantic things to do. There is always the either fancy or funky dining out experience. There are seemingly endless places to eat and drink in San Francisco. A modern edge restaurant you could go to might be the Levende Lounge. It is located in an old building but it has a new romantic modern style in architecture and cuisine. There is a great mix of Latin American, Asian and Mediterranean influences in the dishes they prepare.

If you like the classics of Dean Martin or 007 style you may find yourself most comfortable at Bix. This restaurant has been in San Francisco since 1988 and is the home of some of the best live Jazz in the Bay area. It is an intimate environment with a close seat to the fine music that fills the air. You can start with a classic martini and a delicious Dungeness Crab appetizer. Then move into Oysters on the Half Shell or a rack of lamb. They always have fine steaks available with the classic side dishes served with a wonderful Napa wine.

Some people like to get out and stroll as they snuggle together. San Francisco is filled with great places to walk and talk. The Fisherman’s Wharf may be a bit crowded so how about a nice day or evening at the zoo. The San Francisco Zoo is a nice casual place to enjoy all the creatures, brought from around the world, to snuggle in there habitats and watch you walk by. There is also the Spa idea. Couple’s massages and soaks are always a luxurious treat. What a fine way to enjoy each other company in a relaxing and different environment away from the streets and the crowd. So find the honeymoon suite and either begin a new love or revive an mature one.

New York is the best town in the world, and there’s never going to be another town like New York.  It’s the most interesting and exciting place in the world, and there are some people who might say that it’s not what it used to be.  It could be that those people aren’t who they used to be, either, but New York is still my city, it’s my favorite city, and I’d never live anywhere else.  That’s because it’s an actor’s dream of a city, even though it might be one of the worst places for an actor to try to make a living.  I came here with the idea that I’d struggle for awhile and I was all ready to pay some dues.

Soon enough, though, maybe after two years or so, I’d be living in four star hotels, and New York would be my oyster.  Or at the very least, it would be a place to go get oysters for my friends, because I would be friends with all of the people who owned oyster places, and I would get them in to eat.  My dream is to make sure my friends don’t have to wait longer than ten minutes, or maybe fifteen sometimes.  This is how I saw the city, but doing the walk of an actor is something that sometimes takes a little longer.

It’s a city that rewards those with vision, initiative, and drive.  But it rewards those who already have money much faster, and with more oysters.  I learned my craft here, though.  I followed in the footsteps of Stella Adler, and studied all the things she encouraged her students to study.  I looked at the lives of all the great actors I admire, Brando, DeNiro, Hoffman, and DeLuise, and tried to live like they did.  On the edge of a breakdown, or on the edge of a great meal, it was all part of the actor’s process.  When I audition for a role, I’m already living the part.  Sometimes, I have to be someone who’s depressed, and sometimes I have to be a soda cracker.  It doesn’t matter.  It’s about the work.  I still love New York.

Once you’ve seen the Coca-Cola Museum and the Georgia Aquarium, you may want to find your way to Atlanta’s High Museum of Art for this last days of its exhibit, Leonardo da Vinci: Hand of the Genius.  There are a few times in life when you’ll be able to witness art work that has lasted for hundreds of years; in fact, there are only two people whose work is so extraordinary, I would do whatever it takes to see their art in person.  One is Michelangelo, particularly his sculpture.  The other is Leonardo da Vinci.

One of the best museums in the Southeast, the organization has collections of classic and contemporary art.  This time around, their exhibiting fifty works of Leonardo da Vinci, as well as twenty sketches as studies, some never seen before inside the United States.  The exhibition is in three parts, stressing different parts of the artist’s life: Leonardo, the Sculptor, the Student, and the Mentor.  As a Sulptor, he planned to create the planet’s biggest and most complicated statue.  The museum has recreated the 26 foot high Sforza Horse in the Sifly Piazza.  As a Student, his works are presented alongside work by his contemporaries, the people from whom he most likely learned, such as Andrea del Verrocchio or Donatello’s famed Bearded Prophet (never before seen outside Italy, not even outside Florence).  As a Mentor, the museum demonstrates Leonardo’s influence over younger artists.  This includes Giovan Francesco Rustici and Peter Paul Rubens.  Rustici’s large bronze figures, John the Baptist Preaching to a Levite and a Pharisee, is provided as an example of this mentoring relationship and friendship.

Hand of the Genius closes on Sunday, February 21st; however, to provide more time for the public to see the works, the museum has extended its hours on the closing weekend.  Friday, February 19th, the gallery will be open from ten in the morning to midnight.  On Saturday, February 20th, it’s ten in the morning to seven in the evening; on Sunday, February 21st, the last day, you’ll have one more opportunity to see the work from noon until six in the evening.  To make sure you don’t miss it, arrange for a room in advance.  There are few opportunities to see legitimate works of genius.

For all interested parties I can now, after fifty five years of existence on this planet, testify to the wonders and fascination, even the addiction potential of bird watching. That’s right, you read it correctly, I’m a bird watcher and proud of it. It all started last summer when my best friend Delores talked me into going with her to Cape May, New Jersey. I shouldn’t say talked me into going, it sounded like a great vacation and I certainly needed one. A week in one of the beach hotels sounded just perfect. However, Delores has been a birder since just after her divorce when she was thirty three.

The divorce itself wasn’t responsible for her passion for birds it just allowed her the freedom to pursue it. She had actually wanted to watch birds from the time I knew her in college. Anyway, she had been to Cape May a few times and always remarked about what a great place for birding it was. I have to admit that I never really listened to her stories, nor did they make that much sense to me. When she told me statistics like over 400 bird species have been recorded in the area I tried to look interested but I’m sure a look of “so what” was more prominent on my face. So, to pacify me she told me that I could go diamond hunting while she watched the birds.

She didn’t really need to pacify me much, I was interested in going regardless of the 400 species of birds. And I did have a fun time looking for one of the Cape May diamonds, as they’re called. They’re really quartz pebbles that have washed down the Delaware River. I did find one and even had it polished up. It looks really pretty and I wear it attached to my birding binoculars that I also purchased on that trip. I’m telling you, once I got out and watched and learned a few of the species and their habits and visual cues I became a little obsessed with getting to know them. I know that sounds strange but it’s true. And so now I dare you. Spend one summer practicing the art of birding and I bet you’ll become obsessed with it as well. Really, I dare you.